gms | German Medical Science

Background: Cross-country comparisons are important sources of inspiration for shaping health care system changes. Since 2004, Dutch employers have been required to formulate an action plan within 8 weeks of a worker reporting sick, and they must pay at least 70% of the absent worker’s income for up to 2 years. The action plan might include: work adaptations, return-to-work counselling and rehabilitation. However, these two laws are out of range compared to other countries. This presentation is derived from a chapter in The Science and Politics of Work Disability Prevention [1] which addresses the social, political and economic contexts driving state work disability reform in 13 countries.

Aim: To unravel the historical background of two laws that are the most striking part of the extensive Dutch sickness absence and disability pension policy, their effects and their drawbacks, in order to understand their transferability to other countries.

Method: Document study of policy documents and empirical studies. Most of them have remained largely inaccessible internationally.

Results/findings: Since 1945, Dutch employers have become highly responsible for the wellbeing and income of employees. This responsibility is rooted in the Dutch ‘consultative economy’, and paved the way for acceptance of the two laws. The laws are highly effective in terms of reducing disability pension and offering support to employees with health problems.

Discussion and conclusions: Some parts of the two laws are highly transferable to countries with comparable system characteristics, but sustainability of the laws can be questioned.